IRONMAN will host its first event in Nebraska with the addition of the IRONMAN 70.3 Omaha triathlon. The inaugural edition of the event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
Located in eastern Nebraska, the new event in Omaha offers a swim, bike, and run course that will take athletes through Omaha and the Midlands Region of Nebraska.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the IRONMAN 70.3 Omaha triathlon to the race calendar in 2026,” said Ryan Richards, Midwest Regional Director for IRONMAN.
“Omaha offers a dynamic mix of Midwest charm, a rich tradition in hosting world-class sporting events, and a vibrant local culture that makes it a standout destination for athletes and their supporters. We’re proud to partner with the city to bring this new race experience to life and look forward to welcoming athletes to discover everything that makes Omaha a memorable place to race and visit.”
Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr said “Omaha will lay out the welcome mat to IRONMAN 70.3 participants, who represent resilience, strength, and drive.
“We are so happy to host this terrific event and will offer contestants the spirit of this also resilient, strong, and driven city. I think visitors will find the city to be a wonderful home for this exciting contest.”
Lindsay Toussant Brown, Omaha Sports Commission Executive Director, said “We are incredibly excited to partner with and welcome an IRONMAN 70.3 race to Omaha for 2026 through 2028.
“Hosting this world-class event showcases our city’s vibrant sports scene and incredible spaces – our downtown, lakes, and trail systems. This event extends our commitment to supporting athletes at the highest level. We can’t wait to introduce the IRONMAN community to an unforgettable experience while in Omaha and the state of Nebraska for the first time.”
Deborah Ward, Executive Director of Visit Omaha, added “Securing an IRONMAN 70.3-brand race each year for the next three years highlights Omaha’s strength in attracting and sustaining world-class events.
“We expect 2,500 to 3,000 athletes and their families to visit Omaha each year of the competition, generating an estimated US$4 million in economic impact for our community annually.”
Omaha is a Midwest city located along the Missouri River, straddling the Nebraska-Iowa border. Known for its deep sports roots, from the College World Series to Olympic swim trials, Omaha also offers an outdoor culture, with more than 250 miles of interconnected trails, riverfront parks, and green spaces.
Its downtown blends history with innovation, featuring a thriving arts scene, culinary hotspots, and the newly reimagined RiverFront park system. It is also centrally located within driving distance of major Midwest hubs such as Kansas City, Des Moines, and Minneapolis, Omaha.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Omaha triathlon will kick off with a 1.2-mile swim in Lake Cunningham, a 390-acre reservoir. Spectators can spot their athlete by the surrounding trail as athletes undertake the single loop swim, entering and exiting near the boat ramp.
Once out of the water, athletes will transition to the 56-mile bike course that takes athletes throughout Douglas County and the city of Omaha. The course climbs through rolling hills and scenic farmlands throughout Douglas County, offering challenging climbs, fast descents, and rural sights and sounds, finishing near the Missouri River in downtown Omaha.
The 13.1-mile two-loop run course will take athletes on paved trails along the Missouri River, followed by the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge into Council Bluffs. Running past Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, athletes will run on the bridge back to Omaha before finishing near downtown.
The 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Omaha triathlon will offer qualifying slots to the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship race in Nice, France.
